Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Well, the news from the auto repair shop was not as good as I hoped...

In fact, I guess you could say that it was a little on the bad side! Freeze plugs need to be replaced and in order for that to be done, the engine must be jacked up from underneath. Labor and parts...about $900!

Then the front brakes are in dire need of being overhauled, drums turned and new pads. The back brakes need to be adjusted. I never even knew that they were bad and I just had them done, but evidently they only halfway did the job Anyway, with parts and labor for the whole job...$1500 or there abouts.

Now, here is the dilemma I'm facing. Do I go ahead and put the $1500 into the truck, or do I just bite the bullet, and get a newer vehicle? After all, my truck is a 1991 Chevy S-10. I have to figure that the next thing to go is the tranny, right? I could put that money into a full size truck or even a van. Decisions, decisions...!

I could talk myself into going either way, but I really do need to sit and think this one out. It's always something, isn't it?

I think that this is one of those little test life throws at you to see if you are paying attention! I'm sure that the right decision will make it's way to the front of my feeble mind.

The good news is that right now the truck is still running, and really not leaking too badly. So I figure that I can take a couple of days to make up my mind. Who know...I may have a sudden true bargain jump out at me and say "Buy me, buy me!" Stranger things have happened, ya know? You might know I just put new tires all around on my truck a couple of weeks ago!

You know what? I'm not even going to worry about it right now. I'm just going to sit back and take things slower, like I said yesterday! I'll need to rethink my plans a bit...but maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Why don't we get another cup of coffee, my friend, and sit on the patio a bit. You can help me decide which direction I should take...OK?

Monday, June 29, 2009

I have been working toward getting everything I thought I needed together now, planning and stocking and organizing...trying to think about what I am forgetting about, or don't have enough of, or waiting to get.

Then, like the Eureka moments we all have, I realized that I have been looking at it in completely the wrong way. After all, prepping is all about a lifestyle, not something you can do all at once. I knew that!

I don't know why I was letting myself get to the point that I was worrying about the things I couldn't change.

The way I see it, it isn't about how fast we get things done or gathered...but rather how we learn to recognize the things we need to improve on or become better organized with.

That's the main reason that I want to make a couple of test runs, to get a better feel for the things that I need to concentrate on.

I think I would be better off to take off a little slower, get there a little later, and arrive a little more prepared than to go off half cocked and arrive at my destination faster, only to find that I don't have everything I need or don't have a workable plan.

So, instead of rushing around worrying about what I need to get done, I'm going to take stock of what I need and then proceed with caution at a slightly more sane and better thought out pace. I'll still get to where I'm going, but I'll be in better shape when I get there. At least That's what I'm thinking now...

After all, it's not the destination that is the most important thing, but the strength we gather on the journey that counts, right?

Now, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a bit. It's supposed to rain later, and if we try maybe we can sniff the air and smell it coming!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sorry about not being more in touch yesterday, but I felt I needed the time off.

It has been so hot here, that I think it is taking it's toll on me. Just to give you an idea of how hot...it's 1:00 a.m., the temperature is 80 degrees with 92% humidity. The wind is blowing at 3 miles an hour out of the SSW.

What does that mean? It means it's HOT! Folks, any time you have 92% humidity...it's pretty miserable, believe me!

I thought that we would keep it light it light today with one of my favorite singers of all time. The song ain't bad, either! Why don't you give a listen...OK?

See what I mean? I like old Don Williams, I really do! Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, if you haven't already been over to The Survivalist Blog and picked up a copy of The Free Survival Library put together by M.D. Creekmore...I invite you to go over and do so now. It could come in handy some day, ya know?

Now, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a while...before it gets too hot. We can put on some more of Don's music!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Normally, I write my post the night before and schedule it to post at 12:15 a.m.! For some unknown reason, blogger has decided the last two days NOT to post when it was scheduled. I have had to go and manually post, which I did.

Today, or tonight, I should say...is actually Thursday. Friday morning I'm taking the truck in for a small leak repair. I can't find it, and if I'm going to hit the road I want to do so with all probable causes of future problems fixed.

Now the way things have a tendency to go, what you think is a small problem can and does turn into a BIG problem very quickly when it goes to the shop! However, the problems do need to be fixed...so I'll just have to bite the bullet!

I'm hoping that this is the last mechanical problem I need to fix before I take off for a week or so to go camping...sort of a test run for moving. Need to get the lay of the land, check out the area for access points and possible bail out trails, find out just where the closest neighbors are located...that sort of thing, ya know?

Anyway, I'll let you know what the damage is and when the plans are coming together as soon as I can! I might have some sort of update later Friday afternoon.

In the meantime, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit...and try and conjure up some more rain for today!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

I finally found a song that pretty much describes me, my life, and personality.

Even though this guy sounds a lot like Roger Miller, his name is really Leroy Pullins. So spare me the comments that the video title is wrong...that is on YouTube...not me, OK? OK! Whatever his name, this song just about sums it up for me!

After listening to it, you may see that it explains a lot about who and what I am!

See what I mean? So, now you know a little bit more about the Hermit than you did...maybe!! (insert big grin and evil laugh here!)

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit at the patio table before it reaches 100 again...which should be around 10:00 A.M.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

You know, most of us get the message that we just can't do everything we may want to!

Most of the time, common sense will tell us ahead of time that what we want to do may not be a good idea! However, as much as I hate to say it, some of us are not blessed with good common sense and have to be reminded.

Sometimes a good picture can help...like maybe this one!

Now if the picture somehow misses the mark, then let's see if maybe music can help a bit...

I hope this gets across the message that you can't always do what you want without getting permission! I certainly hope so...

Now, my friend, you definitely have my permission to join me for a cup of coffee on the patio! Whadda ya say...?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

You ever notice how the little things in everyday life can sometimes drive you nuts?

Probably wouldn't even bother you, but on some days, if you even notice them at all, they will get to the point that they drive you crazy! I wonder why that is?

Things like the expressions some folks use when talking, like "You know?" at the end of every sentence. Things like the annoying habit someone may have of drumming their fingers when they are thinking. Some of the most annoying things that can drive you over the edge if you notice are people that hum to themselves, but it's always a tune that you don't recognise or it's out of tune! Another is those of us that chew gum and can manage to make little popping sounds about every three chews. How about the people that will sit for hours on end and pop their knuckles:? That's always a lot of fun to listen to...

Now sometimes when these people are in the same room as you, you can just get up and leave . But if you get trapped with them in a car or truck on a long trip, it can almost lead to doing some serious bodily harm to someone!

I know that we should not let the little things get to us, but sometimes you just can't help it. It's human nature, I guess. Now, my question is this...how do we deal with it? How do we stop someone from doing these little things that, once we notice them, become a major problem?

Several things that immediately come to mind would stop it, but I think most of them are illegal! In fact, I know they are...! If you get up and leave the room, folks think you are being rude or anti-social. If you ask them to please stop doing whatever it is they are doing because it is becoming annoying, they think you are being rude and bossy! If you stand up, approach the person making the offending noise, get right down in their face and say "If you don't stop that, I'm gonna hurt you!", someone is going to call the cops... count on it!

The two best legal ways of stopping all of these little things from getting to the point of disaster are actually quite simple! The first one id to slowly stand up, open your mouth, and let out the loudest, longest, most blood curdling scream you possibly can. When done, look around the room at all the shocked faces and say "Thanks, I needed that!" Then sit back down and wait for the men in the white coats to show up, cause you just know that someone is on that annoying little cell phone they always carry, asking for help from the mental health people!

The second is a lot easier...quietly stand up, excuse yourself, go pack all that you can carry, and head out for parts unknown to anyone but yourself! It may be rude, but at least you can bet that no one will follow...they wouldn't dare!!

However, we all know that none of these things are going to happen because we are never around folks that act like this, right? Yeah, right!

Now, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit at the patio table for a bit. You can tell me what I do that annoys you, OK? OK!

Monday, June 22, 2009

When the rain or bad weather forces you to change your plans for a cook out, here are some tips for moving the cooking to the inside!

Once again, these little helpful hints are gifts from"The Old Farmer's Almanac".I can guarantee you that they have nearly anything and everything you need to know about outdoor cooking, gardening, planting, history, weather predictions, and on and on!

Hope this comes in handy someday!

BeefsteaksMarinate 3 to 24 hours; broil about 3 inches from the heat source for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until achieving desired degree of doneness.

Chicken Parts (bone in)Marinate 3 to 24 hours; roast at 425°F for about 40 minutes, or broil 5 to 6 inches from the heat source for 25 to 35 minutes, or until juices run clear.

Chicken Breasts or Thighs (boneless and skinless)Marinate 1 to 3 hours; roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes, or broil 5 to 6 inches from the heat source for 12 to 15 minutes, or until no longer pink.

Game HensMarinate 3 to 24 hours; roast at 375°F for about 50 minutes, until juices run clear, or broil split or quartered hens 5 to 6 inches from the heat source for 25 to 35 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.

Fish SteaksMarinate up to 1 hour; roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes, or broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat source for 10 to 12 minutes, until just cooked through.Pork ChopsMarinate 3 to 24 hours; roast at 375°F for about 30 minutes, or broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat source for 14 to 18 minutes, turning once, until juices run clear.

ShrimpMarinate up to 30 minutes; broil about 4 inches from the heat source for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until shrimp turn pink. If things do get moved indoors, let me suggest that if children are present try and find some activity ahead of time that can keep them entertained. That way the adults can carry on a conversation without having to holler over the joyous sound of children at play. Most all outdoor games do not translate well to indoor activity, but most of you already knew that...especially if you have little ones at home!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and go to the patio table for a bit. We can decide what we are going to grill next time...OK?

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I wanted to take a moment to say "Happy Father's Day" to all those Dads out there.

I know a lot of guys will get special breakfasts, lunches, maybe even a nice cake or pie baked for them! I think that's great and I know all dads will appreciate each and every one!

Especially nice are the very special hand drawn pictures from the little ones...you know, the ones that stay on the refrigerator door for about a year? They mean just as much, if not more, than any store bought gift ever could!

For me and perhaps many others, Father's Day is just another day on the calender. My own Father passed many years ago, and I think of him often, but I don't really have anyone to give a gift to, except for the shout out to those that read my blog.

For me, Father's Day falls into the same category as birthdays and Christmas and Thanksgiving...just another day to be ignored by my two sons. But you know, that's their choice. I gave up feeling angry about those things I cannot change a long time ago. I still get a little sad about it, but not angry. We all have to live with our own choices in life, no matter what they are!

Now in keeping with the spirit of Father's Day, I found out a few facts about this day in the Old Farmer's Almanac! Where else, right? I wanted to present it to you today, in honor of all Fathers everywhere, remembered or forgotten! I hope you enjoy it...!

Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day has a modern origin. The idea came to Mrs. John Dodd as she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1910. Her father, William Smart, had raised his children alone on his Washington farm after his wife died giving birth to their sixth child. Mrs. Dodd proposed a “father’s day.”

The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, and soon other towns had their own celebrations. Father’s Day did not become a permanent national holiday until 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed a law declaring that it be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June.

This just happens to be the first official day of Summer, so it would seem as though we have double reason to celebrate today! I think that Mother Nature doesn't pay attention to the calender here, as we have had Summer temperatures (mid 90's) for some time! Mother Nature , though, works on her own schedule and that's a fact!

Now, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a bit, while we think about how lucky we all are on this beautiful Summer morning! Happy Father's Day, guys!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

No...not THAT bar! I'm talking about the bar code that is on everything we purchase now days.

Do you know what all of these numbers mean? Do you know how to determine just what country the goods you are buying are manufactured in?

If this information is important to you, then you might just find this interesting and educational.

The whole world is afraid of China-made "black hearted goods", with good reason. This is particularly true in food purchases, considering all that is going on in the world.

Can you differentiate which products are made in Taiwan and which ones in China ? Maybe this will help a bit!

If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA. If the first 3 numbers are 471 is Made in Taiwan .

This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the public. They feel that it's in our best interest NOT to know these things, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves. It's up to us to educate and inform ourselves!

After all, power comes from the gathering of knowledge, the understanding of that knowledge, and the ability to use that knowledge to our benefit.

Now days, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA ", so they don't show from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the bar code, as long as you remember that if the first 3 digits are:

BUY USA by watching for "0" at the beginning of the number. We need every bit of helpful information we can get, and we all know that we aren't going to get it from any government involved in selling us goods, right?

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit around the patio table for a while. The label on my coffee can says it MADE IN AMERICA...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Now don't worry, I'm not talking about changes in your lifestyle, or plans, or even your beliefs. The changes I'm talking about are the outward changes, the outward appearances, the ability to blend in with your surroundings.

Think of it as wearing camouflage in a hunting situation, only now you are using it in any situation to become a very low profile target.

There will be people looking for the standouts, the self reliant, the folks that are known to have food or weapons in quantity. They may be looking for nothing more than money or drugs in the form of scripted medicines. Whatever the case, it might be to our advantage to blend in, to appear to conform, to look like we are the same as all around us.

It doesn't matter who is doing the looking...the government, the neighbors, or even some roaming band of petty criminals. At some time, in certain situations, your best bet may be to make some changes! Don't talk about your provisions. Don't talk very much about your bug out plans or your destination. try to avoid any discussion that would reveal your dissatisfaction with the PTB, if the neighbors are pro gov...you don't have to agree, just don't appear to be on the fringe and draw attention to yourself.

If all else fails, then maybe we can all take some lessons from this little guy. Talk about blending in! Mother Nature is a MASTER at this...and we could learn a lot by just being observant!

Now why don't we get some coffee, my friend, and sit for a bit on the patio. Today we can take pleasure in the fact that we are surrounded by friends! That's always a good thing!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Now there is an interesting article in the Houston Chronicle and I have to say, it does make me wonder...

The Government has decided that because of it's glorious success in the past, the Congress of the United States has voted to give the FDA far reaching power to regulate the making and marketing of cigarettes!

That's right, friend. The same agency that allowed the distribution of tainted peanut butter to be made available to consumers is now going to be in charge of the manufacturing of cigarettes. This new legislation will allow the FDA to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products.

Now this strikes me as wrong on so many levels, I don't even know where to start! Besides getting into the banking and auto business, the Feds are now going into the tobacco business! I guess the next logical step is to move into the liquor business.

It appears to me that the plan is being implemented to take over and control the "luxury" items like cigarettes, liquor, media industries including television, and then when all of these are under control...the Government can move on to the real target on the list. FOOD!

If you don't think that the control of the food supply is part of the agenda, I don't think you are seeing the long term picture! We have already seen some traces of fedgov control in the food industry, and I would be willing to bet that a move on full blown control is just around the corner.

There are very good examples around the world of societies that have allowed their governments to take over control of things like medicine, manufacturing, food industries, movies, newspapers, fuel supplies and so on and so on. How do you think that's working for the average citizens?

Want to get a glimpse of what's in our future? Find a copy of George Orwell's "1984" and give it a read! When it first came out, it was considered to be pure hogwash and very, very unlikely. Now...it seems not only likely but very probable!

The warning flags are being raised in large numbers, my friends. We had better start really watching the workings of the PTB and paying more attention to the innocent looking bills being passed that, if the truth be told, do nothing to protect the consumers but serve only to control them. You can bet that hidden inside some of these seemingly harmless bills are hidden the laws that will spell out just another set of steps to do away with the choices we think we are in control of.

I hate to say it, but I can see that somewhere down the road, we will no longer have the freedom to chose our religions, our schooling for our children, the providers of our health care, the food that we eat, or even where we live!

All I can say is that it is a very good thing that those of us that are members of the "prepping" community are always prepping and getting ready for anything, including the tightening of controls over medicine and food. If we aren't, we should be! I have a feeling that the moves to control these aspects are coming a lot sooner than any of us ever even considered!

I think the Scouts had it right when they used the motto "Be Prepared!"...

Now let's get some coffee, sit around the patio table and discuss... just what the hell is coming next!

I was watching television for a change this afternoon, and I was noticing all the trash that passes for commercials now days. Pretty sad! Pretty sad, indeed!

I was bombarded with commercials for male enhancement pills, uplifting bras, creams and lotions for enhancing and increasing sexual enjoyment , Trojans,women's sex toys, vacuum pumps, phone numbers for sex lines, dating services for male and female, male and male, female and female .....on and on and on!

Now, I am no prude by any means. I enjoy the opposite sex as much as anyone. However, I do believe that there is something so wrong when the main focus of our lives is on self gratification. I think it's a sign of something being wrong when we have to get a computer service to match us up with someone that's compatible. I think it's wrong when we are more concerned with talking dirty over the phone with some false persona, instead of meeting someone we like in person and going out for coffee and a face to face conversation.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems to be that we are leaning more and more toward letting services and machines do our selecting for us. We are depending more and more on drugs and chemicals to help us achieve what should be a natural gratification. We are more and more letting agencies and advertising firms dictate who we should and shouldn't like

.We are being told how we should dress, what to wear, where to eat, what to believe, what car to drive, what religion to belong to, what books are acceptable, what jobs we should have, how much we should save, what to teach our children, who we should put in office, what clubs to belong to, when to exercise, what to weigh and even what we can and cannot say or write!

You know what? I think that I want to go back to the day when I can meet someone, say, at the library. I want to introduce myself to them, maybe share a cup of coffee, have long talks about absolutely nothing at all of any importance to none but us. Maybe then we will reach a point where we start holding hands or sharing a hug and finally maybe even moving into a relationship with one another!

All without the use of machines, without the dating services, without the mind numbing assault of the media, without the approval or disapproval of some state agency...only controlled and guided by my own heart. This may not be the perfect way, but I want to be one of the rebels that chooses my own way, makes my own decisions for right or wrong!

I'm only human. I'm destined as a human to make mistakes. I'm destined as a human to make bad choices. I'm destined as a human to be unhappy at times and joyous at others. I'm destined as a human to cry and laugh and wonder and dream and hope!

In simple terms, as a human I am destined to merely live my life as best I can...making a difference in the world if I can and accepting the things I cannot change. After all, I'm only Human and that is good enough for me!

Now let's get some coffee, my friend, and sit on the patio for a bit.Seems like the thing to do!

Monday, June 15, 2009

There seems to be an undercurrent of sadness in a lot of the blogs I've read lately.

That's certainly understandable, considering everything that's going on in our corner of the world. But I wonder if our trying to concentrate our attention on the world in general, we miss the fact that many of us have personal issues to deal with as well!

You know, sometimes our paths in life seem to be well defined and clearly marked. Other times, surprises both big and small seem to come out of nowhere to trip us up, hide our path, and confuse our plans. That's the nature of life in general, I guess.

It isn't how we travel the path that defines us, but how we deal with the surprises, both big and small. Many times our strength comes not from whether or not we overcome the obstacles, but from the fact that we stand up and face them head on. It doesn't matter how many times we get knocked down, but what matters is how many times we can stand back up!

Sometimes we have to consider the fact that our backs against the wall just means that the wall, used properly, can be another form of support.Believe me, I know...I've been there myself!

In the end, it's not the support or the concern of others or the clearing of our path that really makes the difference. In the end, the one thing that will decide our success or our failure is just how bad we want it. We must decide to stand back up. We must decide if we can still clearly see the path we chose. We must decide if we still want to continue, even if it is alone. In short, we must decide just how badly we want it!

If we can do all of these things, nothing can stop us, nothing can deter us, nothing can defeat us...NOTHING!

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a while. I would really enjoy the company of a good friend or two!

Friday, June 12, 2009

I started to post a rant today about people that avoid telling the truth...better known as LIARS!!

However, I realised that I was too angry to be objective. So instead, I want to offer up a bit of information I found in the Old Farmer's Almanac! I really love this book and all the information it contains!

COMMON MILKWEED (Asclepias syriaca) is the best known of the 100 or so milkweed species native to North America. The name "common" fits the plant well because when not in bloom, it goes pretty much unnoticed, growing humbly along roadsides, in fields, and in wastelands.

Beneath its dull, gray-green exterior, milkweed is full of uncommon surprises. Inside the plant is a sticky white sap that contains a mild poison with a bitter taste that warns away many of the animals and insects that try to eat its tender leaves. Certain insects, including monarch butterfly larvae, are immune to the toxin; by feeding almost exclusively on milkweed leaves, they are able to accumulate enough of the poison in their bodies to make them distasteful to predators.

Native Americans taught early European settlers how to properly prepare and cook the young shoots, leaves, pods, buds, and rosy-pink blossoms so that they could be safely eaten. (Eating milkweed is not recommended today.) The milky white sap was applied topically to remove warts, and the roots were chewed to cure dysentery. Infusions of the roots and leaves were taken to suppress coughs and used to treat typhus fever and asthma. The stem's tough, stringy fibers were twisted into strong twine and rope, or woven into coarse fabric. In milkweed's rough pods was another wonderful surprise. The fluffy white floss, attached to milkweed's flat brown seeds, could be used to stuff pillows, mattresses, and quilts and was carried as tinder to start fires. During World War II, the regular material used to stuff life jackets was in short supply, so milkweed floss was called for as a substitute—it is about six times more buoyant than cork!

Over the years, researchers have investigated growing milkweed for paper making, textiles, and lubricants, and as a substitute for fossil fuels and rubber. Although these experiments were found economically unfeasible at the time, perhaps they should be revisited, given the rising costs of fuel and other materials. In current research, a chemical extracted from the seed is being tested as a pesticide for nematodes. We doubt if this surprisingly useful plant will run out of surprises anytime soon.

– –George and Becky Lohmiller

I think I need to read up on "weeds" a bit more...as I don't know anywhere near the information that I should about wild plants. I'm probably not the only one...ya think?

Now, my friends, lets take our coffee to the patio and sit for a while, OK?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Have you noticed that everyone seems to have a LOT of weeds this year?

Well, I found some interesting information about some of them that you might find interesting. Of course, the best information for this type of stuff comes from none other but "The Farmers Almanac",where else? Check this out...

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

You walk in the bathroom to comb your hair or brush your teeth or take care of business...then you look at the mirror and suddenly you see a stranger!

Chances are the image you see is a lot different than the image you carry in your head. Some of us can carry a realistic picture of our self in our head, but for most of us the image we see is not what we was expecting at all!

For me, the image in my mirror tends to be a lot heavier than I really am. Must be a fault in the glass or something! When I glance in the mirror, instead of seeing a slightly greying, gracefully aging elderly gentleman with wisdom and truth showing in his eyes...I am instead greeted by an old guy with grey hair and beard, a healthy pot belly, big enough bags under my eyes to take a long trip, and nothing showing in my eyes except for the bloodshot whites! In fact, some days my eyes look like a California road map!

I have no idea why the image in my mirror has more than one chin! And jowls...! Jowls!! That's only something that really old or fat guys get, right? WRONG!

Welcome to the real world!I guess if the truth be known, many of us have the same reaction from time to time. Luckily, even though Mother Nature has a twisted sense of humor, she isn't so cruel that the image stays in the mirror for long. Soon that image fades and the image staring back at us is more in keeping with the one hiding in our foggy brain and memory!

Nature's kind in that regard...She really is!

What we need to do, is start studying "Mirror Survival"! That's the art of getting past the true image in the mirror, and replacing it with the image that we keep in our fog filled memory! After all, a very large part of feeling good is in believing you look good! Isn't it...well, isn't it?I think I'll just be content to continue being just what I am. The image I tend to carry inside my foggy head now days, is more in line with the image in the mirror. Since I can't do a lot about it, I might as well get used to it. Become acquainted again, so to speak!

Who knows...? I might be a nice enough guy once I get to know me, ya know?

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit, OK? I'll be the old guy with grey hair and beard sitting across from you...at least I think so!

Monday, June 8, 2009

I mean, when you think about it, there are a lot of things that are alike. When you start a garden, you plan it carefully. You try and keep all the aspects under control, taking into account the sudden curves thrown at you by mother nature.

You nurse the young plants in their growing stage, pulling the weeds and making sure the bugs don't get out of hand. You make sure that the plants have plenty of water, but never too much. You watch out for and do what you can to keep out the birds, and at the same time hope that the bees and the ladybugs find their way into your garden to lend a hand!

That's a lot like life! You make plans, trying to consider all the sudden, path altering things that might happen. You try and keep all your fresh plans guarded from the weeds of life, like negative influences from friends and family. You do what you can to support your plans with study and research and support groups and forums.

You try and keep the plan destroyers, like your garden's slugs and snails, from creeping in from the outside, usually in the guise of false friendship and misleading mentor ship. You do what you can to guard against the obvious attackers, just like the birds of your garden, although in life it is usually the paper tigers and negative thinking sheeple that try and discourage you and destroy your hopes and dreams.

You invite into your support circle all the like-minded individuals that can help and teach both by example and good and useful suggestions. These are your real life bees and ladybugs, lending their expertise to the fulfillment of your plans and dreams!

In your garden, your harvest is a life sustaining validation of your ability to work with nature and against the odds to succeed! In life, the fulfillment and fruition of all your hopes and dreams furnish the validation, although none is really needed.

So both in the garden and in life, work at controlling what you can, ignore your detractors and negative influences, welcome your supporters and your helpmates, and in the end you can sit back and truly enjoy the fruits of your physical and mental labors!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit...maybe we can talk about our gardens and our dreams!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

You know, when any friend loses a family member or loved one, we as friends try to pass on our regrets to them. No matter what we say, no matter what terms of sorrow we use, no matter what forms of heartfelt sympathy we pass on it just never quite sounds right.

We want to comfort them, share some of the grief they feel, take away some of the hurt they are going through. That's what friends do! But there are no words that really work, and no amount of caring will ever completely end the sorrow. However, suffering is a part of life. We can't avoid it, we can't ignore it...all we can do is deal with it.

My words can't make things better for Jo. All I can do is try and be there for her. After all, she is my special friend! And that's what friends do...just be there!

Thia is for Jo and her family...

Now, my friends, let's get a cup of coffee and sit on the patio...and take a minute for reflection!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

I started off to post something a little silly and fun, but I decided that with everything that's going on in the world, and especially here at home, maybe instead we should look back at some quote made by some men that saw our present status long ago.

I think that they are worth a second look!

"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily." George Washington"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity and freedom to worship here."Patrick Henry"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."Edward Abbey"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have... a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean the characters and conduct of their rulers." John Adams"A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.... While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved.This will be their great security."Samuel Adams"Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious."George Orwell - 1984"Ridicule is the tribute that mediocrity pays to genius."Anonymous"All truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally it is accepted as self-evident." Schoepenhouer"Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on."Winston Churchill"Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance." Albert Einstein

Like I said, they deserve a second look! Of course, that's just my opinion, for what it's worth!

Now, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a while. I'm having a double helping today!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

There is no way that I could ever tell you all how very much I appreciate the kind words and the prayers sent my way on my mother's behalf!

One of the reasons that I enjoy blogging so much and enjoy reading the blogs of others, is because of the sense of community that is prevalent throughout. In hard times or times of illness in the family, all of the compassion and well wishes that are sent are so much a comfort.

Even though I have not met very many of you face to face, I feel as though I know you all. The reason that I use the term "My friend" a lot on my writing is simply because I truly feel that you are my friends! I cannot tell you how much that warms my heart!

This really is a special media that we all perticipate in. A chance to speak our minds, to interact with others, to enter into open discussions on so many subject, and to both learn from and teach others.

I wanted to play this video as it is one of my favorites, and puts into words many of the feelings that I can't. It is specially for all of you! Once again, from the bottom of my heart...I thank you all!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit, OK?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Let me tell you a real life horror story.It's about my mother, who is in her 80's. Now, I must interject here that I know some retired and working nurses...and they are wonderful people. This little take is NOT directed toward any of them!

Yesterday, my mother went to the doctor's office around 9:00 in the morning as she wasn't feeling well. Three hours later, she got back to her house. When I went to check on her, she said that she had to go into the hospital because of a Staph infection, She was running a fever and had a headache, with achy joints....

I was to take her to the doctor's office again by 2:00 P.M. to pick up the paper work and then across the street to the hospital. In typical fashion, the doctor's office had her come in at 1:45 for a 2:00 appointment to pick up papers.

At 2:30, the papers were finally ready and we went to the hospital to get her checked in. They sent her from the main desk to another examination room to have her vital signs recorded. A Nurses Aid took her temp and another drew blood. About 3:15 we left the second examination room and finally went to a room!

Now keep in mind, all this time she had not been given anything for the headache or the fever, had not eaten lunch, had not even seen a nurse, much less a doctor! After she was in her room, another Aide came in and did the vitals again, and came up with a totally different set of blood pressure readings and temp. Of course, all the readings were being done by machines so that the patient never had to be touched by human hands!

Finally, about 4:15 a nurse showed up. She proceeded to take yet another set of vitals, came up with a completely new set of readings, and gave this poor old lady instructions on how to use the phone and the bed lift. Mom asked for something for the headache and the fever, and was told that no doctor had authorized any medications as of yet!

So there was my mother, finally in her bed, checked by three different people with three different machines, all with three different sets of vital signs, and no one authorized to give any relief from the pain or the illness! I left around 4:40 in the afternoon, disgusted with the so called "modern health care providers".

Just so you know their heart was in the right place, do you know what the first stop was inside the hospital? The Finance office! That's right...an elderly, sick old woman was first taken to the finance office to see if she was covered by enough insurance to get treated by modern, inhuman, inaccurate medical machinery!!

There are very few examples of the humanity that should be there in that hospital. As far as I'm concerned, The medical profession has, for the most part, has lost touch with the individual and can only see the dollar signs! I would rank the private sector right along with the politicians as far as being worthy of nothing more than my contempt. I'm sure that there are those that really care, I just haven't seen them as of late

So today, I'm going to be working on getting my positive attitude back. Too much negativity yesterday and that spells trouble for me.

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee, and sit on the patio for a bit. Maybe you'll help me think positive thoughts!

Monday, June 1, 2009

I wanted to offer this for your consideration this morning. Some wrongs can never be made right.

In my opinion, we should learn from our past, or be doomed to repeat it. Let's hope that somewhere in the course of everyday living, we maintain a fair amount of honor and dignity...and allow others to do the same.

Chief Seattle's reply to a Government offer to purchase the remaining Salish lands:

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio for a bit...

About Me

I recently retired after serving my time working for other people. The one Truth I can attest to is that I don't like crowds. Not a good thing for someone living in a large city! So I am planning to move back to the country. Back to a place where I can sit on the front porch without worrying about getting mugged or shot at! Where the sounds of breeze in the trees and local wildlife replace the sounds of city strife. Where the light of the stars at night replace the streetlamps and neon. Most of all, I am going someplace where I can throw a rock and not hit my neighbor's house.